Judd Apatow and Pee-wee Herman: Together at Last

We have a lot to thank Judd Apatowfor: Ricky Bobby, “Boats and Hoes,” McLovin, Seth Rogen’s career and “I Love Lamp,” to name a few. Now, he appears to be adding something else to the list: Pee-wee Herman’s return to the silver screen.

Variety reports that Apatow has signed on to produce a Pee-wee Herman film for Universal Pictures via his own Apatow Productions. What’s more, the movie’s script is currently being crafted by none other than Pee-wee (Paul Reubens) himself. “I am so excited to be working with Paul Reubens — who is an extraordinary and ground-breaking actor and writer,” Apatow told Variety. “It’s so great to watch him return with such relevance.”

The character of Pee-wee Herman has indeed experienced a resurgence in popularity this year, which is evident in the sold-out crowds turning up to see Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman Show, on stage at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles now and headed to Broadway soon. With 20 years now between Reubens and that infamous 1991 indecent-exposure incident, it seems the public has finally elected to lift its widespread distaste for all things Pee-wee.

“Let’s face it, the world needs more Pee-wee Herman,” Apatow says. We’re not sure if we believe him. But then again, we may not have green-lighted a movie that features middle-aged virginal man with a toy-painting hobby getting his chest waxed. Thankfully, someone did.